Protecting Your Classic Beauty: How Classic Car Insurance in California Can Save You Thousands
What if you could give one of your best investments the protection it deserves?
If you own a vintage automobile, then you know it takes more than money to keep it looking good; it also takes plenty of time, energy, and elbow grease. Keeping such a ride safe also means you need the right classic car insurance, but far too many California aficionados only discover this after it’s too late.
Those drivers usually hesitate to get this coverage because they worry about the cost of the monthly premium. However, the truth is that classic automobile insurance can actually save you thousands of dollars. Keep reading to discover how that works and how to start saving!
Why You Shouldn’t Use Standard Coverage for Classic Automobiles
Chances are that you already have a standard automobile policy for your daily vehicle. Before learning how to get classic car insurance, you likely have a simple question: “Can I use standard automobile coverage for a vintage vehicle?”
The short answer is no. Most standard policies will only pay out the depreciated value of your automobile, and that may be sufficient to cover many modern vehicles. However, vintage automobiles may be worth more than the depreciated value because they have been restored and customized over the years. Standard coverage won’t offer the protection such vehicles need, but classic automobile insurance can.
When Does a Car Qualify for Classic Car Insurance in CA?
While we prefer the term “classic,” other terms for such vehicles include “vintage” or even “antique.” That brings us to another big question: Just how old does your ride need to be before it qualifies as classic?
In this case, the answer may vary. In some places, the vehicle must be at least 10 years old, though many California drivers, dealerships, and carriers believe said vehicle should be at least 25 years old. In fact, the California DMV specifies that an “antique” vehicle must be at least 25 years old, and the car will need to be at least this old before you can get classic coverage for it in California.
Why Classic Car Insurance Over Standard Car Insurance?
You may still be tempted to insure your vintage vehicle with standard coverage rather than taking out a different kind of policy altogether. Before learning how to insure a classic car, it’s important to understand the benefits of one type of coverage versus the other.
Antique car policies typically roll liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage into one package, whereas standard policies let you take out only liability coverage if you so choose. Additionally, there are policy perks unique to this special coverage — you get free roadside assistance, and your vehicle will be protected when you aren’t behind the wheel, making this perfect coverage for those who take their antique automobiles to car shows.
Finally, this special coverage also accounts for an increased replacement cost. In short, if your vehicle increases in value during the lifetime of the policy, you’ll be able to increase your coverage without taking out a new policy.
California Classic Car Insurance: Surprisingly Affordable
Many California drivers who would benefit from vintage automobile insurance hesitate to get such a policy because they worry it will be too expensive. Here’s some good news; if you’ve been asking, “Is classic car insurance cheaper than regular insurance?” The answer to that is a resounding yes!
You can often get this coverage for as little as $200 a year. Even on the higher end, it usually doesn’t cost more than $1,000 per year. When you consider the value of your restored vehicle and how much it would cost to repair or replace it, you’ll see that antique vehicle insurance is an affordable way to potentially save yourself thousands of dollars you could otherwise end up paying out of pocket.
Top Factors That Affect Classic Car Insurance Rates
By now, you’ve probably learned that many different factors influence how much you pay for your standard automobile insurance. For example, your coverage likely costs far less now than it did when you were a teenager. In some cases, even moving from one place to another can raise or lower the premium. But what are the factors that affect California classic car insurance rates in particular?
The age and make of the vehicle are major considerations. Older and/or exotic automobiles may naturally be more valuable and also more difficult to repair, and this is reflected in the monthly premium. The current market value is another major factor. Because the carrier must be able to afford the cost of repairing or replacing the vehicle, its current value partially determines how much your premium will cost.
Your credit score may also impact how much you pay. The other factors affecting the cost of coverage depend on your habits — antique vehicles kept in storage will be less expensive to cover, as will vehicles that aren’t driven very often.
Get the Coverage Your California Classic Car Deserves Today!
Now you know how classic car insurance can keep your ride safe and save you thousands of dollars. But do you know where to find the coverage you need at a price just as beautiful as your vintage automobile?
Cost-U-Less is here to help California drivers like yourself protect their classics with the right coverage. That automobile is one of your life’s greatest investments; are you ready to invest in the best way to keep it safe?
Call us at (800) 390-4071 or get a fast and free classic car insurance quote online. You can also find a nearby office and visit us in person.
